Brake structure



gmac/MM Dec. 3, 1946. c. HOLLERITH `BRAKE STRUCTURE Filed April 16, 194s CHN/#1L E5 HLLEN/TH we 73 Patented Dec. 3, 1946 'n UNITED STATI-:s .PATENT OFFICE f Baaxnvsravcrnm: Charles Hollerith, Jackson, Mich., assigner, by

assignments, to The B. F. Goodrich Company, Akron, Ohio, a corporation of Ne York The present invention relates to improvements in expander tube brake construction, and has reference to a brake lining shield .and support which functions to protect the expander tube and at the same time support the brake blocks 4 or brake lining in'its retracted position.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved brake' lining shield and support of the character described. Another object of the invention is to provide axnovel sheet metal tube shield for expander tube brakes.

These and other objects and advantages residing in the combination, construction and arlrangement of parts will be more fully understood Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the brake lining shield and support shown removed from the l assembly. v

The brake structure I comprises a pair of complementary sheet metal stampings I2 and I4 which collectively define\ a channel I1, the sides of which are formed inwardly at circumferentially spaced points to provide thrust shoulders I 8. Elongated slots 28 are provided in the shoulders I8.

Sectional arcuate brake blocks 22 have their opposed ends 24 and 28 notched to provide clearance for the shoulders I8, which receive the thrust of the brake blocks 22. Aligned grooves 28 of the opposed ends 24 and 2 8 of the brakeblocks 22 define the transverse opening in which the sheet vmetal tubular liner 88 is carried. A retractor spring 82 is located within the sheet metal liner 80 and extends through elongated slots 20 of the shoulders I8. For a more detailed description of the brake structure just described. refrence may be had to my issued Patent No. 2,350,038, granted May 30, 1944.

To protect the expander tube88 from injury that might result from extrusion of the same between adjacent ends 24 and 28 of the brake blocks or linings, a sheet metal shield 84 is provided. As more clearly shown' in Fig. 3, the

- shield 84 has a central portion 8B, upright portions 88 and flange portions 48. As shown in Fig. 1', the flange portions 40 are snapped into and lining support Cil Application anni 1s, m5, seran No. 588,439 3 claim.. (o1. lss-152) overlapping engagement with the elongated slot 20. In `this positionthe central portion 88 is in overlapping relation with the opposed ends 24 and 28 of adjacent-brake blocks 2.2. Through this arrangement the'tubev 38 is protected from any injury that might lotherwise result due to fluid pressure extruding the tube 88 upwardly between theends'of adjacent 'brake blocks 2 2.

lIn addition to the shielding function of the member 84 with respect to the expander tube 83, it also functions as a support for -the brake blocks 22 to limit their radially inward retraction under the, -action 'of the springs 82.

As it is relatively simple in 'production to accurately locate the slots and to accurately form the members 84, the result' is that the brake blocks 22 may be uniformly supported in Atheir retracted position throughout the entire circumference lof the brake structure.

Having thus described my invention, what; I

y desire'to cover by Letters Patent and claim is:

1. In a radial brake of the expander tube type, in combination with an expander tube, a channel in which said tube is disposed, opposed openings defined in the sides of said channel arcuate sectional brake blocks circumferentially disposed in end to end relation on said .tube and guided for radial movement in said channel, oi.' a shield Y for said tube and support for said brake blocks comprising a relatively thin member having its ends supported in said openings to bridge said channel, said lmemberoverlying said expander `tube and being overlapped by opposed ends of channel and disposed between said tube and said open joint to shield said tube from said open joint, means supporting said shield from the sides of said channel in bridging relationA therewith. said brake blocks engaging with said shield in their retracted position to limit radial inward movement, and meansv for retracting said brake blocks against said shield. l

3. In combination with a radially expansible expander tube brake having a channel in which said tube is located, arcuate sectional brake blocks disposed on said tube and guided within said channel for radial lexpansion and contraction, adjacent brake blocks being in opposed end-tolend relation and dening an open Joint, of a relatively thin transverse member of channelshaped construction, said member being disposed between said tube and said open joint to shield said tube from said joint, the opposed ends oi said blocks being supported in the channel por- 10' member.

CHnRLES HOILERITH 

